23/06/2024
One of the great things about the U.K. blues scene these days is the number of new entrants choosing to play the genre. With such an influx of excellent young talent, the musical health of U.K. blues is looking better than ever, and its future is assured. Among the young guns now gracing our pubs, small clubs and theatres stages, we have some amazingly talented players creating a buzz around the country.
For example, we have the unstoppable Alice Armstrong, the dynamic vocalist from Surrey with a voice “very few people can rival” (ERB Magazine).
Already established as a top-ranking outfit in the U.K., having performed for audiences up and down the country, there’s The Cinelli Brothers. This band needs very little introduction, unless you happen to have been living on Mars for the past ten years.
Another musician of notable talent, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Greg Coulson takes his own brand of “high octane, fun and musically ingenious Blues to loyal audiences throughout the UK” (Carlisle Blues Festival).
And the stunningly brilliant Connolly Hayes will surely blow everyone away with wonderful vocal excellence from Jess, and guitar playing wizardry from Frankie.
I’ve only touched on the tip of the tip of the iceberg, but I’m sure your comments will come flooding in on the multitude of young talent out there. It follows that I’m hoping you’ll post a comment citing your favourite young blues artists, as they all deserve to be acknowledged.
The one other name I would definitely want to add to my short list of top-flight new U.K. blues musicians is the extremely talented guitarist, Mat Day.
Mat knows his way around the blues fretboard like no other. Unbridled by any lack of guitar playing ability, his keen interest in the broad church of blues guitar has led him to play in many different blues styles, from the emotionally-charger BB King to the adventurous and explorative styles of Robben Ford Music or Matt Schofield.
Mat will be familiar to some of you as the lead guitarist with The Greg Coulson Band. In addition to working with Greg, Mat has embarked on his own project, The Mat Day Band. The band’s debut EP is already in the works, and live performances will follow soon.
The band will be performing on 3rd July at the established Wednesday Night Blues Club at Malt Shovel Tavern, Northampton. If you’re about, don’t miss it.
There’s also gigs coming up in September at The Fish (Northampton) and Diseworth Blues (Derbyshire).
I recently watched Mat and some of his friends, including Greg Coulson on keyboards, perform a special show entitled “A Brief History Of Electric Blues” at The Garibaldi LIVE (Northampton). Although this is not The Mat Day Band, it does provide a near-fit example of the power and dexterity of Mat Day. Check it out using the link provided below. If you’re a blues fan, you will be at least impressed, but more than likely, you will be amazed at this exciting young blues player. Definitely one to watch.
Finally, if you would like to see The Mat Day Band perform at a venue near you any time in the future, give Mat Day’s page a Like, and mention his name to your local venue or promoter.
Keep the blues alive!
Chess Records was one of the most prominent of the independent labels in the USA that had a lasting influence on the world of blues music. Chess captured gr...
